CONFIDENTIAL
3. THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ALSO REPEATED TO THE MASTER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S DESIRE TO RENDER ALL NECESSARY MEDICAL
OR HUMANITARIAN HELP TO THE 99 PERSONS ON BOARD THE 'AVA? INCLUDING THE ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG OF ANY SICK OR INJURED PERSON, A DOCTOR WAS FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO THE 'AVA' ON THE AFTERNOON OF 10 JULY, HE IS VISITING AGAIN TODAY AND MAY WELL RECOMMEND MEDICAL EVACUATION OF A WOMAN WITH A NEW-BORN CHILD AND ANOTHER WOMAN WITH AN INJURED FOOT. SHIP HAS WATER FOR FOUR MORE DAYS AND FOOD SUPPLIES SHOULD LAST FOR TWO WEEKS. A ROYAL NAVY PATROL BOAT IS IN THE VICINITY TO ENSURE SPEELY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SHIP AND SHORE,
4. ON 11 JULY AN AMERICAN IMMIGRATION TEAM FROM THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE-GENERAL BOARDED THE 'AVA' TO EXAMINE WHETHER ANYONE WOULD QUALIFY FOR ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES. DEPUTY CONSUL-GENERAL
IS REPORTING TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT THIS AFTERNOON.
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5. MEANWHILE, SECOND VESSEL MENTIONED IN OUR TELEGRAM NO 693 LEFT HONG KONG AT 1700 HOURS ON 18 JULY. LEADER HAD CONFIRMED THAT GROUP HAD NO INTENTION OF COMING TO HONG KONG AND THAT ORIGINAL DESTINATION HAD BEEN PHILIPPINES. FACILITIES WERE OFFERED
TO I S S AND AMERICAN AND FRENCH CONSULATES-GENERAL TO VISIT THEM, LEADER EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE JOURNEY WITH THE EVENTUAL INTENTION OF SEEKING TO SETTLE IN U.S.A. BEFORE DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG, VESSEL WAS PROVISIONED WITH SUFFICIENT FOOD AND WATER FOR TWO WEEKS (FILLED TO CAPACITY OF 264 GALLONS), MEDICAL SUPPLIES, FLAREO, SIGNALS AND TORCHES, SEA CHARTS AND COOKING FUEL. MARINE DEPARTMENT ENGINEERS EFFECTED MINOR ENGINE
REPAIRS AND DECLARED VESSEL SEAWORTHY. WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE THIS BOAT WILL FINALLY FETCH UP, THE STRONG PRESUMPTION IS THAT IMMEDIATE CBJECTIVE WILL BE TAIWAN OR THE PHILIPPINES, FAVOURABLE WEATHER IS FORECAST FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA AREA.
ROBERTS
[REPETITION TO HANOI REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION
REPEATED AS REQUESTED TO OTHER FOSTS]
FILES
HED (3)
SEAD
SAD
MR CORTAZZI
MR MATE
CONFIDENTIAL